Multiple Cups with Separator

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separator is disclosed. The multiple cups with a removable separator includes a top cup, a bottom cup, a plastic flap insert, and an interlocking separator being coupling to the top cup on a first side of the interlocking separator and being coupled to the bottom cup on a second side of the interlocking separator. The interlocking separator includes a mixing slot passing between the first side and the second side, an opening across the interlocking separator oriented parallel to the first side and the second side, the opening configured to accept the plastic flap insert to provide a separating barrier between an attached top cup and an attached bottom cup, a retaining groove around the mixing slot and configured to align with the opening to engage edges of the plastic flap insert when installed into the opening and across the mixing slot, and a set of seals positioned on both sides of the retaining groove to engage the plastic flap insert when installed, the set of seals continue across the opening to engage the plastic flap insert when installed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture forproviding storage containers, and more specifically, to an article ofmanufacture providing multiple cups with a removable separator.

BACKGROUND

Many foods or drinks are carried by individuals in one or morecontainers for consumption later in the day. Typically, more than oneitem are present and multiple containers may be needed. The combinationof multiple containers also needs to be compact to allow for easytransport by an individual among other items that may be included withina backpack or briefcase. Depending upon the food being transported usersmay or may not wish the items in these multiple containers to be mixedtogether, or the user does not want the items to be mixed together untilthey are to be consumed. Once item may be placed in one containerpreventing contact its contents and the food or liquid in a secondcontainer. Mixing the items together at the appropriate time requiresthe transfer of the contents of one or both containers into a commoncontainer. Examples of food and liquids that could be used include: milkand cereal, protein powder and water/milk, baby formula and water, MREand water, and granola and yogurt. The transfer of the items betweencontainers may also be a messy operation that limits the choices of foodthat users may wish to take with them on any given day. As such, usersneed multiple containers that prevents food from becoming mushy in wetcontents until desired and that helps preserve the longevity in whichthese items can be eaten. These same uses need an effective way to movethe contents from one container to another container to mix the contentscontained therein without need for many utensils or significant effortis a variety of different situations and environments.

Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providingmultiple cups with a removable separator. The present invention attemptsto address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions accordingto the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problemsare solved by providing an article of providing multiple cups with aremovable separator according to the principles and example embodimentsdisclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacturefor providing multiple cups with a removable separator. The multiplecups with a removable separator includes a top cup, a bottom cup, aplastic flap insert, and an interlocking separator being coupling to thetop cup on a first side of the interlocking separator and being coupledto the bottom cup on a second side of the interlocking separator. Theinterlocking separator includes a mixing slot passing between the firstside and the second side, an opening across the interlocking separatororiented parallel to the first side and the second side, the openingconfigured to accept the plastic flap insert to provide a separatingbarrier between an attached top cup and an attached bottom cup, aretaining groove around the mixing slot and configured to align with theopening to engage edges of the plastic flap insert when installed intothe opening and across the mixing slot, and a set of seals positioned onboth sides of the retaining groove to engage the plastic flap insertwhen installed, the set of seals continue across the opening to engagethe plastic flap insert when installed.

In another aspect of the present invention, the mixing slot ispositioned across an entire diameter of the interlocking insert.

In another aspect of the present invention, the mixing slot ispositioned across a portion of the diameter of the interlocking insert.

In another aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the height ofthe top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 3:1:2.

In another aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the height ofthe top cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 2:1:3.

In another aspect of the present invention, the interlocking separatorfurther includes a first pair of L-shaped locking slots on oppositesides of a circumference of the interlocking separator about the firstside and a second pair of L-shaped locking slots on opposite sides of acircumference of the interlocking separator about the second side.

In another aspect of the present invention, the top cup comprises a pairof locking posts about a circumference of an open side of the top cup,the pair of locking posts engage the first pair of L-shaped lockingslots to couple the top cup to the interlocking separator.

In another aspect of the present invention, the bottom cup comprises apair of locking posts about a circumference of an open side of thebottom cup, the pair of locking posts engage the second pair of L-shapedlocking slots to couple the top cup to the interlocking separator.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate multiple views of an example embodiment for anarticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates multiple views of another example embodiment of anarticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates profile views of an interlocking separator of thearticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates top multiple views of a third example embodiment ofan article of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general an article of manufacture forproviding storage containers, and more specifically, to an article ofmanufacture for providing multiple cups with a removable separatoraccording to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attachedhereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification arenot intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the followingterminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one ormore of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps.As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features,steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps or components. It also should be notedthat in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts notedmay occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twofigures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “food worker,” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human,using multiple cups with a removable separator associated with theinvention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the inventionbeing applied for via the patent application with the title “MultipleCups with Separator.” Invention may be used interchangeably with cups.

In general, the present disclosure relates an article of manufacture forproviding storage containers. To better understand the presentinvention, FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate multiple views of an exampleembodiment for an article of manufacture providing multiple cups with aremovable separator according to the present invention. FIG. 1 a shows aside view of three separate components 100 of the present invention.These three components include a top cup 101, a bottom cup 102, and aninterlocking separator 103. The top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 maybe coupled to the interlocking separator 103 to form a complete storagecontainer 100. When the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102 areseparately coupled to the interlocking separator 103, a top side 103 aand a bottom side 103 b of the interlocking separator are placed withinthe respective top cup 101 and bottom cup 102.

The top cup 101 and bottom cup 102 attach to the interlocking separator103 using a simple lock with an open space in the interlocking separator103 and small half-spheres locking posts 131 a-d on the cups 101-102. Afirst pair of locking post 131 a-b includes a first top locking post 131a is located at 0° along the circumference and a second top locking post131 b at 180° along the circumference of the interlocking separator 103adjacent to the top side 103 a of the interlocking separator 103. Asimilar pair of second locking post 131 c-d include a first bottomlocking post 131 c is located at 0° along the circumference and a secondbottom locking post 131 d at 180° along the circumference of theinterlocking separator 103 adjacent to the bottom side 103 b of theinterlocking separator 103.

Each of the cups 101-102 possess a pair of L-shaped locking slots 111a-b, 121 a-b that are positioned to align with corresponding either thefirst pair locking posts 131 a-b and second pair of locking posts 131c-d, on the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102. In order to coupleeither of the cups 101-102 to the interlocking separator 103, the pairof L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b on the top cup 101 are aligned withthe first pair locking posts 131 a-b. The interlocking separator 103 isinserted into the top cup 101 as the first pair of locking posts 131 a-bslide into the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b along the topcircumference of the top cup 101 until both of the pair of first lockingposts 131 a-b are insert to a bottom edge of both L-shaped locking slots111 a-b. The top cup 101 may be rotated to slide the pair of firstlocking posts 131 a-b along the bottom edge of the L-shaped lockingslots 111 a-b. When in this position, an outer edge 141 of theinterlocking separator 103 engages an inner surface the top cup 101 tocreate a sealed container with the interlocking separator 103 acting asa lip to the top cup 101. The above process may be repeated using thesecond pair of locking posts 131 c-d engaging the pair of L-shapedlocking slots 121 a-b on the bottom cup 102 in a similar manner. Theinterlocking separator 103 also acts as a lid to the bottom cup 102.

A plastic flap insert 104 fits into a mixing slot 132 within theinterlocking separator 103 through an opening 133 lined in rubberspanning 180° around the exact middle of the interlocking separator 103.The inside retaining groove 134 of the interlocking separator 103 islined with a set of rubber seals 135 a-b except for the small area inwhich the plastic flap insert 104 would fit in, encompassing the other180° inside of the middle piece. The set of rubber seals 135 areconfigured to accept the plastic flap insert 104 in between these seals135 a-b that are located on both sides of the inside retaining groove134 and across the opening 133. By doing so with all parts connected,this invention resembles two cups 101-102 with the interlockingseparator 103 that serves to separate foods and liquid when the plasticflap insert 104 is inserted inside of the interlocking separator 103.

Removal of the plastic flap insert 104 from within the interlockingseparator 103 facilitates a mixture of food and liquids for thehandicapped, mothers who may have difficulties feeding their children ina timely manner, for military usage (in the case of MRE and holdingother food contents), and anyone who would like a way to easilytransport and mix their food and drink contents. When the plastic flapinsert 104 is removed, a passageway 134 is created between the top cup101 and the bottom cup 102 allowing the contents of the cups to beeasily mixed together.

Any food or drink in the top cup 101 will not touch the food or liquidin the bottom cup 102 until the plastic flap insert 104 is removed.Examples of food and liquids that could be used include: milk andcereal, protein powder and water/milk, baby formula and water, MRE andwater, and granola and yogurt. The present invention 100 saves time andenergy by having the plastic flap insert 104 act as a “trap door” in thetime when the two contents should be mixed. This arrangement preventsfood from becoming mushy in wet contents and helps preserve thelongevity in which these items can be eaten. If the person chooses, theydo not need to pull the plastic flap insert 104 all the way through ifthey only want some of the top contents to enter the bottom contents.Also, the plastic flap insert 104 acts as a separator for liquid andlarger items inside (such as fruit in water or ice in any liquid drink)in the case that when pouring the person will only have to slightly pullthe plastic flap insert 104 in order to separate the liquid from thesolid. People who are handicapped can pull the plastic flap insert 104with their teeth (or any other way that is comfortable for them) and beable to have a sense of independence when using this product. Theinterlocking separator 103 also acts as extra space in the case thatcontents added from the top cup to the bottom cup will overfill thebottom cup. The plastic flap insert is held securely by rubber linedaround the middle piece opening 180°.

FIG. 1 b shows the plastic flap insert 104 across the mixing slot 132 tocover the entire passageway 134 between an attached top cup 101 and anattached bottom cup 102. The interlocking separator 103 is shown as anoval in the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 a-b for the ease ofpresentation herein. The interlocking separator 103 may also be shapedas a round separator so long as the top cup 101 and the bottom cup 102include a matching shape. The pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b ofthe top cup 101 and the pair of L-shaped locking slots 121 a-b of thebottom cup 102 may also include other shapes so long as the lockingslots contain a retention mechanism to hold the locking posts 131 a-dwithin the corresponding the pair of L-shaped locking slots 111 a-b, 121a-b. Examples of other detention mechanisms include a narrowing thattightens the locking posts 131 a-d the farther that they are insertedinto the locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b. Additionally, the locking slots111 a-b, 121 a-b may include a small opposing ridge along the edges ofthe locking slots 111 a-b, 121 a-b that permit the corresponding lockingposts 131 a-d to pass through the ridges with a force applied to thecups 101-102 while preventing the cups 101-102 to be accidentallyremoved.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of another example embodiment of anarticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a secondembodiment of a top cup 201, bottom cup 202, and interlocking separator203. In this particular embodiment, the ratio of the sizes of the topcup: interlocking separator: bottom cup is defined to be 3:1:2.Additionally the first pair of locking posts 211 a-b, 221 a-n arelocated on the top cup 201 and bottom cup 202 respectively. The pair ofL-shaped locking slots 231 a-d along the top circumference of theinterlocking separator 203. The two cups 201-202 and the interlockingseparator 203 are coupled in a similar manner as described above withrespect to FIG. 1 a -b. The interlocking separator 203 also accepts aplastic flap insert 204 into a mixing slot 233 to separate the contentsof the top cup 201 from the bottom cup 202. A set of seals 235 a-b areused to provide a leak-proof seal between the plastic flap insert 204and the top cup 201 and the bottom cup 202 within the interlockingconnector 203. In most other respects the second embodiment, a preferredembodiment, operates in a manner of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates profile views of an interlocking separator of thearticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention. An embodiment of theinterlocking separator 303 that is configures to accept the plastic flapinsert 104 (not shown in FIG. 3 ) into a mixing slot 333. A set ofseparating seals 335 a-b engage both sides of the plastic flap insert104 when the insert in placed within the interlocking separator 303. Theset of separating seals 335 a-b are positioned on both sides of aninside retaining groove 334 of the interlocking separator 303 and theopening to the mixing slot 333. As noted with respect to otherembodiments, the set of rubber seals 335 a-b are configured to acceptthe plastic flap insert 104 in between these seals 335 a-b.

A pair of the locking posts 341 a-b are shown on the visible side of theinterlocking separator 303 that engage mating L-shaped locking slots(not shown) in the mating top and bottom cups. The pair if seals 335across the opening 333 appears as elongated sealing blades that areconfigures to arc inward when the plastic flap insert is installed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a third example embodiment of anarticle of manufacture providing multiple cups with a removableseparator according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a thirdembodiment of a top cup 401, a bottom cup 402, and an interlockingseparator 403. In this embodiment, a plastic flap insert 404 and amixing slot 432 are arranged to allow the contents of the top and bottomcups 401-402 to mix together a portion of the interlocking separator403. The size of the mixing slot 432 may be less than fully across theinterlocking separator 403 that allows the plastic flap insert 404 andthe set of seals 435 a-b to be smaller in size. The smaller mixing slot432 may not cause difficulties in mixing the contents of the cups401-402 when the mixing content includes a significant amount of fluids.The size of the mixing slot 432 and it's set of seals 435 a-b may bedetermined to find an optimal size that allows the mixing slot 432 tofunction while reducing any leaks between the set of seals 435 a-b andthe plastic flap insert 404 when inserted.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in thepresent application, these combinations are not intended to limit thedisclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may becombined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In otherwords, any of the features mentioned in this application may be includedto this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow thefunctionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture for providing multiplecups with a removable separator, the multiple cups with a removableseparator comprises: a top cup; a bottom cup; a plastic flap insert; andthe interlocking separator being coupling to the top cup on a first sideof the interlocking separator and being coupled to the bottom cup on asecond side of the interlocking separator, the interlocking separatorcomprises: a mixing slot passing between the first side and the secondside; an opening across the interlocking separator oriented parallel tothe first side and the second side, the opening configured to accept theplastic flap insert to provide a separating barrier between an attachedtop cup and an attached bottom cup; a retaining groove around the mixingslot and configured to align with the opening to engage edges of theplastic flap insert when installed into the opening and across themixing slot; and a set of seals positioned on both sides of theretaining groove to engage the plastic flap insert when installed, theset of seals continue across the opening to engage the plastic flapinsert when installed.
 2. The multiple cups with a removable separatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the mixing slot is positioned across anentire diameter of the interlocking insert.
 3. The multiple cups with aremovable separator according to claim 1, wherein the mixing slot ispositioned across a portion of the diameter of the interlocking insert.4. The multiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1,wherein the ratio of the height of the top cup to interlocking separatorto the bottom cup is 3:1:2.
 5. The multiple cups with a removableseparator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height of thetop cup to interlocking separator to the bottom cup is 2:1:3.
 6. Themultiple cups with a removable separator according to claim 1, whereinthe interlocking separator further comprises: a first pair of L-shapedlocking slots on opposite sides of a circumference of the interlockingseparator about the first side; and a second pair of L-shaped lockingslots on opposite sides of a circumference of the interlocking separatorabout the second side.
 7. The multiple cups with a removable separatoraccording to claim 6, wherein the top cup comprises a pair of lockingposts about a circumference of an open side of the top cup, the pair oflocking posts engage the first pair of L-shaped locking slots to couplethe top cup to the interlocking separator.
 8. The multiple cups with aremovable separator according to claim 7, wherein the bottom cupcomprises a pair of locking posts about a circumference of an open sideof the bottom cup, the pair of locking posts engage the second pair ofL-shaped locking slots to couple the top cup to the interlockingseparator.